ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Scott Feldman wouldn’t second-guess his decision to sign with the Houston Astros last winter.
His teammates didn’t score a run Wednesday night while he was allowing only one through six innings of a 5-1 loss to the Texas Rangers.
Games like that contributed to what will be a season record of 8-12 despite a 3.74 ERA, the best in his 10-year career.
“I think I made the right decision,” he said. “I enjoy coming in here every day and being around these guys, and the coaching staff has been great. Overall, I kept the team in the game (Wednesday), but the other guy was better.”
The “other guy” was Lisalverto Bonilla, who became the first pitcher in Rangers history to win his first three career starts.
Bonilla (3-0), promoted Sept. 2 from Triple-A Round Rock, allowed four hits and struck out seven in six scoreless innings.
His wins all have come during a stretch when the Rangers have won 11 of 12 games, including their last four.
Their sweep of Houston was the Astros’ third loss in a row and seventh in nine games.
Feldman gave up only one hit through his first 4 1-3 innings. He finished with four hits allowed in six innings.
With one out in the fifth, Leonys Martin bunted for a single and scored on Elvis Andrus’ double down the left field line.
“(Feldman) kept on battling and throwing up zeros and making pitches,” Astros interim manager Tom Lawless said. “We just couldn’t put anything together offensively.”
Houston’s third and fourth batters, Jake Marisnick and Chris Carter, each struck out three times.
Lawless said, “The middle of the lineup, that’s where the runs are usually driven in. Right now, (Carter)’s just missing pitches.”
Texas added four runs against reliever Jose Veras in the seventh on Rougned Odor’s solo home run and a three-run shot by Ryan Rua.
Martin threw out Robbie Grossman at home plate to end the top of the third inning. He was trying to score on a single by Marisnick, but catcher Tomas Telis took Martin’s one-hop throw and tagged the sliding Grossman’s back.
“We know (Martin) can throw and we know he’s aggressive,” Lawless said. “He threw the ball right where he needed to throw it. If it’s a foot one way or the other, we’re safe at home. That’s what I constantly talk to these kids about. If you play defense, good things happen.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: Carter, in the original lineup at first base, switched with Marc Krauss and became the DH. Lawless said Carter “has a little side-bottom something something, so he doesn’t need to be standing all night.” . OF George Springer (quadriceps) is with the team but won’t play again this season.
Rangers: OF Jim Adduci (concussion) has come off the disabled list but hasn’t started because he’s not ready to hit. Bogar said Adduci could play in the field or run the bases.
UP NEXT
The Astros are off Thursday before beginning their season-ending three-game series Friday in New York against the Mets. RHP Brad Peacock (4-9, 4.82) is scheduled to pitch.
Rangers RHP Colby Lewis (10-14, 5.34) will make his team-leading 29th start Thursday in the opener of a four-game series against visiting Oakland. He won his only start against the Athletics this season.
SOMETHING TO PLAY FOR
Houston is giving Carter a chance to finish with 40 home runs. He entered Wednesday with 37, needing three homers in the final four games.
2B Jose Altuve can become the Astros’ first batting average champion. He remained at .343 by going 1 for 3 Wednesday. He leads Detroit’s Victor Martinez, who was 0 for 2, by 9 percentage points.
STEALING
Altuve’s two stolen bases in the sixth increased his league-leading total to 56.
The Rangers’ four steals against Feldman gave him 36 allowed this season, the most against AL pitcher.
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